Curbstoning

Curbstoning – The act of selling at the curb without benefit of a license.

Consumers who buy from a curbstoner often get saddled with damaged, dangerous, or uninsurable vehicles – by which time the curbstoner is long gone with their cash. Curbstoning is illegal in many states, yet defrauds thousands of unwary consumers every year.

Who is a curbstoner? He/She is an individual who buys vehicles (may be only one) with the intent to sell them for a profit.

Who is not a licensed motor vehicle dealer

Does not have a local business license

Does not pay state taxes

Does not pay federal taxes

Does not have any overhead

Uses property belonging to others for display of vehicles
(Property owners can be held liable for allowing the display)

In many cases “jumps title”, thereby obscuring the identity of the true seller and evading payment of tax and title fees

Jumping titles is a criminal offense and can be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor, pay a fine not to exceed $2,500, and be sentenced to not more than 12 months in jail

Under recent legislation the law may now be enforced by local police and zoning departments.